How to cover kitchen benchtops?

Hi, I'm wanting to cover som really horrible yellow laminated kitchen benchtops, I was thinking of using the contact stuff I've seen around but everything I can find is just too thin and flimsy, does anyone know of something more durable that I can use to cover them on a tiny budget I definitely don't want to install new ones or use paint.. what are my other options???

Thankyou all 😊

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EricL

Hello @radburnshane107

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your benchtop.

Since you're not keen on painting, I propose having a look at Gerflor Self Adhesive Vinyl Tile. You can place them right on top of the melamine surface and can be trimmed to fit. On the condition that you have a square edge at the end of your benchtop you can simply cut a strip to cover that area.

However, if you have a bullnose or rounded edge, it will be necessary to use a contact adhesive to keep the vinyl down. Please note that the vinyl surface is not as strong as the laminated surface and will not be able to handle very hot temperatures. This would be an affordable option to revamp your benchtop temporarily until you are ready to replace it.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Jason

Hi @radburnshane107,

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community.

I trust you found Eric's reply helpful, but can I please ask why you wouldn't consider paint?

This collection might help provide some ideas and inspiration: 10 kitchens transformed with paint.

Looking forward to seeing how you can improve your kitchen.

Jason

gemmad

Hi Eric, could you please advise which contact adhesive you recommend for curved edges please?

JacobZ

Hi @gemmad,

Any contact adhesive, such as Selleys Kwik Grip Horizontal Contact Adhesive or Sika 105 ContactFix will work fine as long as they are applied liberally and you ensure you smooth the contact over the adhesive, leaving no bubbles.

I'd suggest using a Pro Renovator 150mm Plastic Scraper to smooth the contact over as it is applied. This will ensure there are no bubbles beneath.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Ash.k.d

Hi team!
Looking for solutions for my outdated kitchen bench.
Will be painting the cupboards.
I note that Eric has said that vinyl doesn’t withstand heat well - would a painted kitchen bench?
Are there other options beside paint or vinyl? (That’s not a replacement).
It is rounded, and has a bit of a lip on the edges.

Thanks in advance! Ash

EricL

Hello @Ash.k.d

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Any surface when exposed to extreme heat such as a cooking pot will damage almost any surface. Some surfaces may withstand heat damage a bit longer but when exposed to high temperatures it will eventually get damaged. The same goes for painted surfaces, best practice would be to use a countertop protector or a pot and saucer coaster.

I understand that you are not keen on replacing the benchtop. But the only other option that is generally affordable is to replace the benchtop with a Specrite 2200 x 600 x 26mm Timber Multi Use Pine Panel. This panel can be stained, painted and sealed. Should you wish to copy the rounded shape of the benchtop, I suggest speaking to your benchtop installer.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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